Pressure cooker rajma

This iconic North Indian bean stew is the ultimate comfort food. Like a classic chili, the beans are coated with a rich, heavily spiced, tomato-y sauce. And, it is practically made for the electric pressure cooker. As Priya Krishna writes in The New Yorker: “My aunt Sangeeta was sold on the Instant Pot after tasting rajma made in the gadget at a friend’s house.” This recipe was inspired by a recipe from My Heart Beets, known for its adaptation of traditional Indian recipes for the Instant Pot. If you can find Kashmiri chili powder, use it– we love the vibrant red color and gentle heat.

Featured bean: Sangre de Toro

Other beans to try: Ayocote Morado, Bayo

Take 'em from dried to cooked with our guide!

Print recipe here

• Serves: 4-6
• Time: 1 hour
• Cookware: food processor, electric pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried beans
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder, or 1 teaspoon paprika and a pinch of cayenne
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 white or yellow onion, roughly chopped
• ½ jalapeño or serrano pepper
• 3 tbsp neutral oil or ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 1-¾ tsp coarse kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes or strained tomato purée (passata)

Steps

Sauté the ingredients: Add onion and pepper to a food processor and blend until smooth; set aside. In a small bowl, combine spices and set aside. Heat oil or ghee in pot insert using the sauté function. Add cumin seeds and sauté 1 minute, then add the blended onion-pepper mixture and cook until golden, ~8 minutes. Add bay leaf, garlic, ginger, salt, and spice mixture, stirring to combine. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pressure cook: Add beans and enough water to cover by 1-½ inches. Secure the lid, and cook for 45 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release. Let cool slightly before serving.

NOTE: You can also start with cooked beans in their broth. Follow "Sauté the ingredients" instructions, and then simply add cooked beans and enough bean broth to barely cover beans. Simmer for 20 minutes or longer to let the flavors meld, adding more broth as necessary for a thick stew.

We imagine this with…

Yogurt, chopped cilantro, and lemon wedges. Basmati rice, warm naan, or roti. Tejal Rao’s Gajjara Kosambari (Carrot Salad). Priya Krishna’s Roasted Aloo Gobi.

Adapted slightly from My Heart Beets. For the full story, head here.